Improvement in collars



F. e. MITCHELL 2 w. J. SAUNDERS.

CQLLAR.

No.175,574=. Patented April 4, 1876.

Wiinesws: I72 weniara:

, A ready for use.

UNITED STATES TPAT NT am.

FRANK e. MIToHELL, 'o KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, AND WILLIAM J.

. A SAUNDERS, OF TYLER, TEXAS IMPROVEMENT IINACOLLARS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No, 175.574, dated April 4, 1876 application filed December 13, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK G. MITCHELL, of Kansas City, Jackson county, Missouri, and WILLIAM J. SAUNDERS, of Tyler, Smith county, Texas, have invented an Improved Shirt-Collar Fastening, of which the following is a specification:

The object of our invention is to furnish a more convenient means of adjusting and securing shirt-collars, and fastening and unfastening ties, scarfs, cravats, 8120., and thus avoid the extra time, labor, and expense as well as inconveniences incurred in the use of the wellknown shirt-collars.

Our invention relates, therefore, to an improved spring-collara-lso shirt-collar-to possess the constructive features as will now more fully appear.

Of the drawing, Figure l is a plan view of our elastic clasp or collar. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of our elastic collar as applied with our improved shirt-collar; Fig. 3 being a perspective of our improvements as when applied in use; Fig. 4 being a detail or section of the stud we use for our collars.

As indicated in Figs. 1, 3, A is our auxiliary collar. It can consist of well-tempered steel, of rubber, celluloid, or similar flexible material, the object being to have sufficient elasticity or spring to act as a clasp, and so that its open ends a a will clasp the button they are fitted to engage. The construction of the collar A is more clearly shown in Fig. 1. At a it has a hole through which a button or stud is passed. B, Figs. 3, 4, represents this button or stud. Its head bis formed separate from the body I), and both can be united by screwing said head on the stem of the body, as indicated in Fig. 4. By this kind of a stud, its body b is first passed through the front of the spring-collar A, at a, (this hole being small keeps the said collar from play.) Finally, the head b is screwed on the body I), and thus said stud can alwaysbe retained in the collar The separated ends a a of the collar A have elongated open slots (0 the purpose thereof being to engage the stud or button usually at the back of the neck of a shirt, and being held so in engagement by virtue of the spring-clasp. Further, at a both opposite ends of the spring-collar have a punched slit, so as to form clips, (see Figs. 1, 3,) and by means whereof the loose ends of our shirt-collar can be secured to said spring-collar. The spring clasp or collar A thus formed is applied next to the neck, on the inside of the shirt-collar used. In case this be any of the ordinary shirt-collars, this requires no alteration or change to be used with our. clasp. Thus it will be noticed that the spring-clasp is reversible-that is, its front part containing the stud B can be positioned back of the neck, and the open ends a a made to clasp a stud, a, front, or vice versa. Our elastic collar is to be so reversed that its open ends shall clasp the button in front when used with any of the well-known collars made. Our spring-collar, however, is used the contrary way when applied and used in connection with a shirt-collar of our own make, as follows: 0, Figs. 2 and 3, represents our shirt-collar, and can be also of cloth,'linen, or paper. Instead of being open in front (as is customary in the manufacture of collars) our collar G in front we leave united as a whole, (see Figs. 2 and 3.

Further, instead of being closed behind, as is customary, ours we form to have an open back, or present separatedends c 0'. (See Figs. 2 and 3). The collar 0 when used is, therefore, to be closed behind the neck, not in front. It is for such collars O (which, of course, can be of any pattern to suit) that our spring-collar is more especially adapted to' form part. Hence, as shown in Fig. 3, we provide a similar opening, 0 in front, for stud B to pass through, and in such separated ends 0 c of the collar 0 are made slits 0 (see Fig. 2,) through which the clips at of the spring-collar engage to unite the ends of both collars. The collar 0 and spring-collar A thus united are shown in Fig. 3

To apply this combination of clasp and collar to the neck of theshirt, it is but necessary to pass the stud B in front through the usual button hole in front. This done, the open backs of both collars (owing to the clasp) will spring together, so as to clasp the button usually in the back of the neck of the shirt.

In case our spring-collar is made of steel it should be covered with cloth, felt, silver, or

- front and open back,-and provided with open slots a and clips to, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A shirt-collar, 0, having closed front and open back, and provided with slits 0 as and for the purpose set forth.

3. A spring collar or clasp, A, having closed front and open back, and provided with open slots a clips cf, in combination with a collar, 0, having closedfront and open back and slits c and the stud B, all constructed as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony of said invention we have hereunto set our hands.

FRANK Gr. MITCHELL. WILLIAM SAUNDERS.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM W. HERTHEL, OHAs. F. MEISNER. 

